Stargazers across the UAE are set for a celestial spectacle this month as the annual Perseid meteor shower returns, offering a dazzling display of “shooting stars” in the night sky.
The meteor shower will reach its peak between late Tuesday, August 12 and early Wednesday, August 13. However, a bright moon during this period may make some of the fainter meteors less visible.
The Perseids, one of the most prolific meteor showers of the year, occur when Earth passes through debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle.
For the best viewing experience, Dubai Astronomy Group is hosting a ticketed event at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s highest peak.
Event Schedule (August 12–13):
11:15 PM – Event introduction
11:45 PM – Talk on the Perseid meteor shower
12:30 AM – Sky mapping session
1:00 AM – Q&A session
1:30 AM – Telescope observation
Those preferring a solo stargazing trip can head to popular dark-sky locations, including the Al Quaa Milky Way spot, the Al Qudra desert and Hatta in the Hajar mountains.